The Ghost Town of Agate, Michigan and Its Scenic Falls

There is not much left of the ghost town of Agate in Ontonagon County, and not much to say about it either.

It was originally called Agate Siding, as part of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway. Named after the agate stone, the community was founded in 1890 for the purpose of taking care of the miners in the area. There was once an auto repair shop, blacksmith, gas station, general store, and post office but not much else. All are now gone.

Agate remains an unincorporated community along M-28, a few miles east of Bruce Crossing. Not much to see here unless you want to park and traipse through the woods to look for remnants of former structures. However, there is one particular thing here you may want to check out.

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That would be Agate Falls on the Ontonagon River just west of Agate. The falls run under the old railroad bridge and is one of the U.P’s most scenic sites. The falls are 39 feet high and are accessible to the public.

There is parking and a picnic area just off the road and a trail that leads to the falls. You can also get on the old rail bridge – now used for snowmobilers – and get a good view from there.

Photos are in the gallery below.